Newman Hall Essex

Newman Hall, Essex

Odd references appear in odd parts of the Newman family records of a Newman Hall in Essex. The most notable reference appears on the memorial to a Thomas Newman (died 1649) on the wall of the Newman chapel in the church at Fifehead Magdalen, which is inscribed (in Latin) with the words “Thomas Newman is at rest beneath this altar, From the lineage of Newman of Newman Hall, Essex”.

Another reference to the Newmans of Essex appears in the apocryphal (and largely misleading) family history titled "The Newmans of Wessex" which states that:

"Francis [II] Newman, 2nd of Nth.Cadbury was succeeded by his nephew Francis [III] Newman, 3rd and last of Nth.Cadbury and of West House, both co.Somerset. This Francis speculated on, bought, and built Newman Street near Oxford Street, London, and Newman Hall, co.Essex, both purchased on credit from William Berner." Campbell Newman also wrote to me (email dated 29 Oct 03) saying: "I believe that a spectacular night of gambling (by Francis Newman of North Cadbury) was the explanation for William Berner's re-possession of Newman Street and Newman Hall."

A Google search for Newman Hall in Essex conducted in Feb 2010 now came up with three references:

http://mypages.allwest.com/~rognan/genealogy/pafg2131.htm describing an Anne Newman who was born about 1575 in Newman Hall, London, Middlesex.
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Winstanley,_William_%28DNB00%29 referring to a WINSTANLEY, WILLIAM born about 1628, second son of William Winstanley of Quendon, Essex, who wrote an elegy on Anne, wife of Samuel Gibs of Newman Hall, Essex, and
http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?kids=1&monument_id=1157 which describes Quendon Hall in Essex as being formerly Newman Hall. It goes on to say that the Lordship of Quendon was in the possession of the Crown until 1530 when it came into the hands of Thomas Newman who built the house c.1540. It is a fine 2 storey 16th-17th century brick house in a deer park. The main portion of the present house was built 1670-1680 but suffered badly in a fire of c.1880. The south front is an outstanding example of its period. The park was still stocked with deer in 1975 enclosed by a modern fence.

Research into the history of Quendon Hall and the Thomas Newman who built it might perhaps reveal a link between the Essex and Somerset Newmans. However it is worth recalling Wayne Dexter Newman's observation in his article published in the April 1998 edition of the Newman Name Society Chronicle, when referring to the same memorial to Thomas Newman, concluded that:

This is the only mention of an Essex origin for the Fifehead line that I have come across. By far the stronger indication is that the family originated in Wiltshire and later spread its branches into Somerset, Gloucestershire, London, Cork, Quebec and other parts. The suggested use of the Fifehead crest by the Essex family will have to be confirmed from other sources to give it credence. However, if for the moment we take the Essex connection at face value, the 'descended from an illustrious judge' would be a lead worth exploring. Presumably this DOES mean a judge in the Essex Newman line. If the existence of a likely candidate could be verified, then it may provide means of firmly linking the two families. Exploratory delving is called for.

Page created: 1 Feb 2010